Golf Lessons: Hitting From the Deep Grass

An accounting professional based in Chicago, Benjamin Barrone most recently served as Director of Finance with Vital Proteins, where he oversaw all financial activity at the company. Outside of his professional pursuits, Benjamin Barrone enjoys playing golf in his leisure time.

In golf, fewer situations are more frustrating than hitting a ball out of the rough, especially when the shot barely missed the fairway to begin with. Hitting a ball out of deep grass requires golfers to choose the proper club for the situation. Lofted irons are not always the best option, as they can snag on thick grass and prevent solid contact with the ball. Although it may seem counterintuitive, woods have a low center of gravity and shallow face that enables them to cut through the grass more easily.

During the swing, play the ball back in your stance to minimize the amount of grass between your club and the ball. Open the clubface to account for the closing effect of long grass. Finally, hold on tight! Tall grass can grab at the club and cause your hands to slip.

Additionally, one recommendation from Benjamin Barrone is to consider what is called a “flier” lie. This occurs when there is grass between the clubface and the ball at impact, which results in less spin. When hitting a lofted iron this can result in the ball traveling much longer distances than would be the case from the fairway. For instance, Benjamin’s normal 8 iron distance is 160 yards but says he’s hit the same club over 200 yards from flier lies.